Davy Crocket Canoes

[disneydave2005]

I was wondering how fun it would be to take the canoes. I've never been to Disneyland before and kind of want to experience the canoes. I just don't want it to slow down any pacing. I want to pack AS MUCH as possible into this trip...

 

[skiingfast]

I was wondering how fun it would be to take the canoes. I've never been to Disneyland before and kind of want to experience the canoes. I just don't want it to slow down any pacing. I want to pack AS MUCH as possible into this trip...

Attractions like this are great to do in the afternoon when the lines for attractions nearby like POTC and Splash Mountain will have very long lines.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

It is a good afternoon thing as the line is never very long. It is the only ride in the park controlled by the riders (it is not on a track or anything) so try not to get in a canoe with a bunch of college age guys who think it is fun to row against everybody (worst canoe trip of my life!) and it is a really fun thing to do....much better than standing in line at the busiest part of the day.

 

[saving4myfamily]

It is a good afternoon thing as the line is never very long. It is the only ride in the park controlled by the riders (it is not on a track or anything) so try not to get in a canoe with a bunch of college age guys who think it is fun to row against everybody (worst canoe trip of my life!) and it is a really fun thing to do....much better than standing in line at the busiest part of the day.

About how many people ride in a canoe at a time?

 

[skiingfast]

About how many people ride in a canoe at a time?

A lot. I'd guess 18-24. Maybe someone knows exactly. No matter what a lot more than my canoe.

 

[disneydave2005]

The only thing about THAT many people is that I'd be worried of the canoe tipping over. I'd trust my sister and I instead of THAT many people

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Oh ya there are a lot of people I think Matt is right about 18-20 or so seated two people wide.

Even with those college kids on board messing around we didn't tip. They are pretty wide (makes them more stable) compared to personal canoes. You have 2 guides one in front one in back that don't want to tip over either and they are pretty good at keeping everyone in line. I supposes you could tip (all kids 6 & under must wear life vests and they are available for anyone that wants them) but I really have not heard a story of anyone ever actually tipping the canoes...anybody else?

 

[sonnyjane]

Oh ya there are a lot of people I think Matt is right about 18-20 or so seated two people wide.

Even with those college kids on board messing around we didn't tip. They are pretty wide (makes them more stable) compared to personal canoes. You have 2 guides one in front one in back that don't want to tip over either and they are pretty good at keeping everyone in line. I supposes you could tip (all kids 6 & under must wear life vests and they are available for anyone that wants them) but I really have not heard a story of anyone ever actually tipping the canoes...anybody else?

There was a post a couple of months ago asking whether or not the canoes have ever tipped and nobody ever found an incident reported where they had tipped over. Through Google I found that one time that it started to sink because it exceeded the maximum weight limit, but they never tipped over and got everyone out at the dock before anyone went swimming

 

[LisainCalifornia]

After years of going to Disneyland and saying "we really should try the canoes this trip...." we finallly did it last trip.

and....

we all hated them! I kept a up a fake smile and acted like they were fun, but they pretty much sucked sour pickles. My girls said the same when we got off, so I didn't feel so bad saying "yeah, lets not do that one again!". Our canoe at the gasoline trail of the big ship (the one that looks like pirate ship) the whole way around, and the cast member just kept apolgizing and telling weak jokes that ened in "crickets" as we treaded water behind this big ship, smelling exhaust. The ride requires lots of hard work with paddles, which is a bummer on a very hot July day when you are inhaling ship exhaust. It just wasn't fun in any way!

 

[danceanddisney2010]

I have been on the canoes a few times. Def not something we like to do over and over but at least once is fun!! If the line is short ...which it usually is.. give it a try!

 

[TheColtonsMom]

After years of going to Disneyland and saying "we really should try the canoes this trip...." we finallly did it last trip.

and....

we all hated them! I kept a up a fake smile and acted like they were fun, but they pretty much sucked sour pickles. My girls said the same when we got off, so I didn't feel so bad saying "yeah, lets not do that one again!". Our canoe at the gasoline trail of the big ship (the one that looks like pirate ship) the whole way around, and the cast member just kept apolgizing and telling weak jokes that ened in "crickets" as we treaded water behind this big ship, smelling exhaust. The ride requires lots of hard work with paddles, which is a bummer on a very hot July day when you are inhaling ship exhaust. It just wasn't fun in any way!

Ewww I would not want to ride that way either....If this happens to you mutiny! Everybody paddle backwards and get away from that ship...Plus we generally go outside the summer season so it is not so blaringly hot!

 

[bumbershoot]

We did it and loved it! Sure it hurts your arms, sure you get splashed, but as long as you aren't behind a stinky ship (that would have ruined my trip, too!) it's fun. In our opinion.

 

[taaren]

I usually make my friends go with me because I find it entertaining, and they drag me on TOT which is not a personal fav, so when its my turn I pick the canoes. To me its relaxing, peaceful, while still being moderately active (not really into the dust on Pirate's Island). I'm only sad that when we go (off-season) its only open on the weekends which we try to avoid. Wish it was open more.

 

[Hound 109]

Padewan Alec & I like the Canoes.

It & Pirates Island are a nice change from the whiz bang interactive offerings. I like the fact that you get wet & your arms get a little tired. A good way to work off mega calories consumed at Pooh Corner in the late morning.

For those who don't like "the water".....maybe do the canoes right before Splash next door (for a rinse off)......then take your mid day break (with a hop in the pool).

A solid D ticket ride.

 

[Dizneydaz]

I would definitely do it once. We do them every 5 years or so. Just about the time I forget how much work it can be and how far you paddle.

But really, it is pretty fun and it's one of DL icons. Do it when it's warm/hot just in case you get splashed.

I looked it up on Wikipedia and here's what I found out...

Ride Description
Canoes cruising around the Rivers of America

At the original Disneyland version of the attraction, riders embark and disembark from a small boat dock next to the Hungry Bear restaurant in the Critter Country section of the park. Each 35-foot-long (11 m) fiberglass canoe holds twenty guests, two per row. Each canoe has two guides dressed as frontiersmen (or frontierswomen) at the bow and stern. These guides are referred to as the helmsman, bowman and stern man.

Riders / rowers are given a short lesson on how to paddle the canoe to power the boat properly after leaving the dock. Small children are required to wear life jackets. Life jackets are also available for adults who cannot swim (if the boats ever capsizes.) As the canoe travels 2,400 feet (730 m) around Tom Sawyer Island, located in the center of the artificial river, the guides point out the sights along the way, such as a settler’s cabin and the Indian chief on horseback. The ride’s length depends upon how fast the paddlers are and how much other traffic is on the river.

Lacking tracks or a predetermined path to follow, they typically travel much faster than the large boats, like the Mark Twain Riverboat which ride along submerged tracks, and have the right of way. The canoes return by the last bend of Splash Mountain, where guides occasionally deliver an extra splash to passing riders with their oars. This attraction operates seasonally. It is usually open on the park's busier days in the warmer times of the year, but not on rainy days. The attraction closes at dusk.

History

It is one of only two attractions in Disneyland to be in three different lands without ever being moved. Originally called Indian War Canoes, the attraction opened on July 4, 1956 as part of Frontierland’s Indian Village expansion, with real American Indian guides aboard every canoe. Guests used a "D ticket" to ride the attraction. The Indian War Canoes closed with Indian Village in 1971 but reopened on May 19 as Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes, inspired by the Davy Crockett miniseries, with the guides now wearing coonskin caps.

It became a part of Bear Country, home of Country Bear Jamboree, when that section of the park opened in 1972. The area was later renamed Critter Country in 1989, which now takes in Splash Mountain and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attractions. The canoes closed suddenly on October 3, 1998, igniting rumors that they were closed permanently; however, the attraction reopened the following June. Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes operates on busier days only, primarily in the summer and on weekends.

In addition to the Explorer Canoes, Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom's Liberty Square operated the Mike Fink Keel Boats until 1997. This attraction was based on the miniseries episode "Davy Crockett's Keelboat Race".

 

[ksdisneyfan]

We tried the canoes for the first time last month. They were a hit with our family. My young kids loved them, and I really didn't feel like it was much "work." In fact, it was pretty relaxing and nice way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the park. I did get splashed quite a bit from my 6 yo DS who was sitting right behind me; he didn't quite get how to paddle. It was a hoot. I just tried not to think about he icky water!

 

[PHXscuba]

I hadn't done the canoes since I was about 10 years old. Our family ended up with a "bonus" day at DLR last summer and decided to try them because we had extra time and they had always been closed during our other recent trips (they only run during high season).

We ended up in a canoe with a lot of kids (including our DS5 and DD8). They let the kids have paddles, but each adult ended up doing more work to compensate. Also, anyone under 6 (?) has to wear a life jacket.

You need a good rhythm, and the little girl in front of me kept whacking my paddle with hers. At one point she dropped it in the water, but my daughter behind me caught and rescued it

Afterward, DH asked me, "So? Check it off the list and never do it again?" I'd probably say yes, for now, unless a few years pass and our teens want to ride it. At that point we might send them on their own and get a drink!

I do think the CMs working this ride must be in the best shape of any I've seen around the parks. They really make those canoes move!

PHXscuba